Resolving Disputes Among The Brethren

Maintain Peace In The Body Of Christ

Ephesians 4:1-3 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:30-32 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Keep Satan From Gaining Advantage Over Us

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Matthew 18:35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Restore A Fallen Brother

Galatians 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

18:16 But if he will not hear you, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

18:17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. 

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

First: Meet privately with your brother. (Matthew 18:15)

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Luke 17:3-4 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

         Second: Seek out another brother. (Matthew 18:16)

a.   To witness to the serious effect of the confrontation.

b.   To collaborate the exhortation of scripture.

c.    To amplify the LORD’s presence in the meeting.

d.   To verify the exchange of testimony.

Third: Should the first two attempts fail tell the Church leadership.           (Matthew 18:17)

a.   Jesus said to tell the Church (Pastor and elders only).

b.   To bear responsibility in dealing with the offending party.

Finally: Should the first three attempts fail the Church is no longer required to consider the trespasser one of their brothers. (Matthew 18:17)

If You Are To Do If You Trespass

Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift".

a.   If you are the trespasser, you are then responsible to go to him and seek reconciliation.

b.   Even if you don’t believe you are the trespasser, but your brother does, you are then responsible to go to him and seek reconciliation.

c.    If you know your brother holds offence against you, you are then responsible to go to him and seek reconciliation.

d.   Don't be so rigid and self-righteous that you stand in the way of a brother or sister's reconciliation with you or with God.

Romans 15:1-3 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

e.   Offer your unpretentious, sincere apology for any unintentional offense and make every effort to reconcile, so that your relationship with God will not be hindered.